Round-up: Pedro injury latest as Fulham eye another signing

Antonio Conte says Pedro’s facial injury is more serious than was first thought.

The Chelsea playmaker was taken off during the first half of the Blues’ friendly against Arsenal in China following a collision with Gunners goalkeeper David Ospina.

Pedro was taken to hospital to be assessed and Chelsea initially hoped he would rejoin the squad in Singapore, where their pre-season campaign continues with a friendly against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

However, he has flown back to London and boss Conte says the Spaniard suffered “multiple fractures” in Saturday’s clash.

Pedro is expected to return to training the week after next and will need to wear a protective mask.

“I hoped it would be only concussion. But I think with a mask in 10 days he could come back to work with us,” Conte added.


Morata set for debut

Alvaro Morata is set to make his Chelsea debut in Tuesday’s friendly against Bayern Munich, Conte has confirmed.

The Spain striker, 24, has trained with the squad in Singapore following his recent £60m move to Chelsea from Real Madrid.

Conte said: “My plan is to give him the possibility to play a part in the game, but not from the start because he only arrived yesterday and started to work with us.”


Mount signs deal and makes loan move

Teenage midfielder Mason Mount has completed a season-long loan move to Vitesse Arnhem after signing a new four-year contract at Chelsea.

The 18-year-old scored four times in 27 appearances for the Blues’ development side last term


QPR’s Bennett approach rejected

Blackburn have rejected an approach from QPR for midfielder Elliott Bennett.

The two clubs appear to be far apart in their valuation of the 28-year-old and Rangers do not currently plan to make another approach.


Smith scores in Berlin friendly

Matt Smith scored QPR’s goal as they rounded off their pre-season trip to Germany with a 2-1 loss against FC Union Berlin.

The match was rearranged after Saturday’s game was abandoned after 13 minutes because of torrential rain.


Norwood deal seems close

Fulham appear to be close to agreeing a deal to sign midfielder Oliver Norwood on loan from Brighton.

The 26-year-old Northern Ireland international joined Brighton from Reading last year and started 16 Championship matches in the Seagulls’ promotion-winning campaign.


Groves’ title defence

George Groves

George Groves will face Jamie Cox at Wembley Arena on 14 October.

It will be the Hammersmith fighter’s first defence of his WBA super-middleweight title as well as an all-British quarter-final of the newly-created World Boxing Super Series.

Groves, 29, became a world champion at the fourth attempt when he beat Fedor Chudinov in Sheffield in May.

He recently selected unbeaten Swindon fighter Cox, 30, as his quarter-final opponent and a win would could set up a semi-final showdown with Chris Eubank Jnr, whose quarter-final opponent will be Avni Yildirim of Turkey.